Leaving work dilemma

Kiki32

Hi everyone,

I've been employed for a year now in a restaurant and I've given my notice 3 weeks ago (I've given 5 weeks notice as we are requested 4 weeks, my job role has however very few responsabilities).
It is a work environment that is extremely tough as we work over 70 hours a week, with very high pressure from management (and basically anyone above you in the hierarchy has the power to bully you), with low pay and recognition.
I've decided to leave in order to change careers, come back to university (I'm 24). I've already secured a new job part-time that pays way better, and my physical and mental health will get much better too : I suffer from osteoarthrisis in the knees due to the pysical stress at work (we are constantly running around and lifting heavy stuff) and I've had severe depression and low self esteem working there.
So far I've been concerned about working until my last day in a nice and professional manner, but I walked out of my job on Friday night when I had an argument with a collegue who ended up insulting me. I have not come back to work since and I am tremendously enjoy the peace and being able to rest my knees (even as I am writing this I have very sharp pain in the knees, yes I need to go see a kinesitherapist).
My dilemma is that while I am much better off leaving them like this since my life is already sorted out and I won't need their reference, my manager in line is supposed to go on holidays next week far away to see family. If I'm not there, he needs to cancel his holidays. I feel bad about this and it's the only reason why I have not given my notice for an earlier date. It's just one week, but I really don't want to go back there. What would you do in my shoes ?

elsien

Option 3 - they could get an agency worker in for a week.
They can't lawfully cancel his holiday without giving the right amount of notice so if by next week you mean this coming Monday his holiday can't be cancelled.

Kiki32

Yes it's this coming Monday.
However in this scenario they could try and charge me the cost of an agency worker since I'm breaching my contract by not finishing my leaving notice.

elsien

They could.
I'd probably go in, work my notice and ignore the idiot. It does take two to have an arguement.

Takeaway_Addict

If they 'bully' you why are you bothered about his holiday?

Mr.Generous

Get a sick note to rest your knee

PasturesNew

Kiki32 wrote: »

What would you do in my shoes ?

You've walked. That's it.
Close the door.
In 10 years' time you'll barely remember them.
Their problem, other people's problems, are not YOUR problem.

You have dealt with your problem. It's now time for others to address their problems.

Good luck in the future.

[Deleted User]

You do what is best for you/it's never as bad as you fear. What would happen if you got hit by a bus or hospitalised. Business does cope. There will always be other's holiday to cover etc making you feel bad.

I recently asked for an early release after working most of my notice but I was fortunate in that I had covered holiday early on and really was making problems worse by sitting it out. I also had a reference request to actually thank too - (my ex employer knew then they were not dealing with heat of the moment resignation.)

We had a barny halfway through and then I learnt the business was dropping shift work once I had gone, so I thought I had nothing to lose in the end asking for an early release. (I contimplated calling in sick to avoid confrontation but decided on an assertive conversation - you only feel bad if you let someone)

It turned out the week I had off was one of the best - I communicated with an employer where I did regrettably go AWOL 5 years ago and found it wasn't as bad as I had always feared there too so that turned out another demon dealt with.

If you think the wages may come in handy as you are dropping down to part time/doing education/staying in the industry and can get past the argument then go in. This rest isn't all it's cracked up to be 13 weeks of consistently losing weight I go and put 2lb on! But that's a good sign for now.

jonnygee2

However in this scenario they could try and charge me the cost of an agency worker

Not for the whole cost, only for the difference between your salary (including employer's NI and holiday pay) and the cost of the agency worker (their financial loss). This is unlikely to work out to much, but you are right that they could still bill it if they wanted to.

It might be better to call in sick for the rest of the time instead.

Kiki32

Thank you for your reply !
To be more precise, this argument with the colleague was more the straw that broke the camel's back rather than a big issue in itself. And I take full responsibility knowing that I provoked it by talking back.
I already have had to put up with insults, abusive behaviour and so on. Just because it is widely accepted in the hospitality industry does not make it acceptable for myself as well.
I have nothing to loose and everything to gain from walking out, just afraid to regret this decision later on.

getmore4less

elsien wrote: »

Option 3 - they could get an agency worker in for a week.
They can't lawfully cancel his holiday without giving the right amount of notice so if by next week you mean this coming Monday his holiday can't be cancelled.

Contract can override any statutory notice for holidays.
Without knowing the contract no one can say they cannot cancel.